downloadTheology & History
Traditional Opening Prayers For Christmas Worship
Many of the following texts date to the earliest recorded years of the history of the church. Each of the prayers express the basic themes of Christmas worship. Adapt the prayers below to local style and custom.
The Nativity of our Lord: Christmas Eve or Day (Dec. 24–25) O God, you make us glad by the yearly festival of the birth of your only Son Jesus Christ: Grant that we, who joyfully receive him as our Redeemer, may with sure confidence behold him when he comes to be our Judge; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. or O God, you have caused this holy night to shine with the brightness of the true Light: Grant that we, who have known the mystery of that Light on earth, may also enjoy him perfectly in heaven; where with you and the Holy Spirit he lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen. or this Almighty God, you have given your only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and to be born [this day] of a pure virgin: Grant that we, who have been born again and made your children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit; through our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom with you and the same Spirit be honor and glory, now and forever. Amen. First Sunday after Christmas Day (Dec. 26–30) Almighty God, you have poured upon us the new light of your incarnate Word: Grant that this light, enkindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. Second Sunday after Christmas Day (Dec. 31–Jan. 5, if not celebrated as Epiphany) O God, who wonderfully created, and yet more wonderfully restored, the dignity of human nature: Grant that we may share the divine life of him who humbled himself to share our humanity, your Son Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Epiphany (Jan. 6 or the last Sunday preceding Jan. 6) (The Last Day of the Christmas cycle/season) O God, by the leading of a star you manifested your only Son to the peoples of the earth: Lead us, who know you now by faith, to your presence, where we may see your glory face to face; though Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Selections from The Book of Common Prayer Each of these prayers follow the same pattern. This is called a "collect" prayer. Originally, these brief, pointed prayers were used to end a time of common prayer. Thus, they "collected" the prayers of the people together in a single unified prayer before the time of prayer would end. Throughout the history of the church, this form has been used in a variety of places in liturgical celebration. Observe the following form for the preparation of your own "collect" prayer: a. Ascription of Praise b. Description of a Characteristic of God c. The Petition d. A Closing Ascription of Praise See the example below: FORM PRAYER Ascription to God O God of light; Description of a Characteristic of God You who dispel the darkness in the birth of your Son The Invocation May the light of your Son who has been birthed into history, be poured forth in our hearts and may the darkness of the world be pierced by the glory of his birth. The Closing Ascription of Praise That we may glorify and praise you through your Son Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with you and the HolySpirit. Amen.